ABC, Facebook partner to bring real-time social conversations to the TV screen with season premiere of 'Dancing with the Stars'

by jmaloni

Submitted

Mon, Sep 16th 2013 04:00 pm

"Dancing
with the Stars" will be the first primetime show to integrate Facebook's new
social media tools on network television during the season premiere tonight

ABC and Facebook are partnering to bring
real-time social conversations to the television screen, as ABC will be the
first entertainment network to integrate Facebook's newest tools for broadcast
partners on primetime television with the season premiere of "Dancing with the
Stars" tonight at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Facebook will bring the conversations already
taking place about "Dancing with the Stars" online to the TV screen by enabling
the audience to see how many people on Facebook are talking
about the contestants, where the couples are generating the most buzz, whether
the pairing are more popular among males or females, and where the teams' fans
live. Real-time
conversations about the show from Facebook users will be displayed during the
broadcast.

"Being the first entertainment partner to leverage this new
technology exhibits our commitment to producing the best live experience
possible," said Marla Provencio, EVP and chief marketing officer for ABC
Entertainment Group. "We are always looking for ways to innovate and engage our
loyal fan base, and feel 'Dancing with the Stars' in particular is the perfect
fit to kick off this new initiative."

Added Nick Grudin, director of partnerships at
Facebook, "Debuting with 'Dancing with the Stars' as our first entertainment
partner is a natural fit. From cheering for their favorite contestants to
debating judging decisions, the show drives passionate conversation from
viewers. Now the TV audience will get a real-time snapshot of the social
discourse across the nation."